Beverage Brewing Device

Patent No. US12096876 (titled "Beverage Brewing Device") was filed by Universal Coffee Llc on May 10, 2023.

’876 is related to the field of single-serve beverage brewing, specifically addressing the problem of disposable cartridges used in brewers like Keurig machines. The patent aims to provide a reusable filter cartridge that can be used with any desired dry beverage medium, reducing waste and allowing consumers more flexibility in their beverage choices.

The underlying idea behind ’876 is to create a reusable cartridge for single-serve beverage brewers that mimics the function of disposable cartridges but eliminates waste. This is achieved by designing a cup-shaped body with a filter to hold the beverage medium and a lid with an opening to receive the brewer's water dispensing probe. The key is the outlet probe receptacle that allows the device to interface correctly with the brewer.

The claims of ’876 focus on a beverage brewing device comprising a body and a lid. The body has a sidewall, a bottom surface, and an outlet probe receptacle extending upward from the bottom surface. The lid is hingedly attached and has a central opening. The body also includes one or more filter areas. The combination of these elements allows the device to retain a dry beverage medium while allowing liquid to flow through the filter areas.

In practice, the user fills the reusable cartridge with coffee grounds or tea leaves, closes the lid, and inserts the device into the brewer. Hot water is injected through the lid, infuses with the beverage medium, and then passes through the filter, exiting into a cup. The outlet probe receptacle ensures proper alignment and function with the brewer's dispensing system. The design also incorporates features like grips for easy handling and heat dissipation.

The invention differentiates itself from prior approaches by offering a reusable alternative to disposable cartridges. The flat bottom surface allows for easy filling, while the internal volume of the brew chamber can be maximized. The design also focuses on easy cleaning and preventing beverage medium from getting stuck in crevices. The dispersion cone in the lid helps to evenly distribute water and tamp the beverage medium for better extraction.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the early 2010s when ’876 was filed, single-serve beverage brewers were common, and at a time when such brewers typically relied on disposable cartridges containing a dry beverage medium. These cartridges were pierced by inlet and outlet probes to allow hot water to infuse the medium. The use of disposable cartridges limited beverage selection and created waste.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner allowed the claims because the prior art does not show or suggest a beverage brewing device with an outlet probe receptacle having a receptacle wall positioned inwardly from the inner sidewall surface, positioned in the bottom surface inwardly from the lower edge toward a center of the bottom surface, and extending upwardly from the inner bottom surface and the lower edge, the receptacle wall configured as an indentation extending into the internal volume.

Claims

This patent has two claims, with claim 1 being independent. Independent claim 1 is directed to a beverage brewing device with a specific configuration of lid, body, sidewall, bottom surface, outlet probe receptacle, and filter areas. Dependent claim 2 further defines the beverage brewing device by specifying that the sidewall, bottom surface, and receptacle are plastic injection molded as a single unit.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)	Support for Specification	Interpretation
Inner sidewall surface (Claim 1)	“The beverage brewing device includes a body defining a brew chamber configured to contain a dry beverage medium and at least one outlet probe receptacle defined in the body and extending upwardly from a bottom surface of the body.”	The surface of the sidewall of the body that extends between the upper rim and the lower edge and combines with the inner bottom surface to form an internal volume.
One or more filter areas (Claim 1)	“At least one filter is defined within in the body, wherein the filter is configured to retain a dry beverage medium within the brew chamber while allowing a brewed beverage to pass through the brew chamber.”	Areas defined in the body of the beverage brewing device that retain a dry beverage medium within the internal volume while allowing a brewed beverage to pass through.
Outlet probe receptacle (Claim 1)	“The beverage brewing device includes a body defining a brew chamber configured to contain a dry beverage medium and at least one outlet probe receptacle defined in the body and extending upwardly from a bottom surface of the body. The at least one outlet probe receptacle is sized and configured to receive an outlet probe of a beverage brewer.”	A feature of the body of the beverage brewing device, having a wall positioned inwardly from the inner sidewall surface, positioned in the bottom surface inwardly from the lower edge toward a center of the bottom surface, and extending upwardly from the inner bottom surface and the lower edge. The receptacle wall is configured as an indentation extending into the internal volume.
Receptacle wall (Claim 1)	“The beverage brewing device includes a body defining a brew chamber configured to contain a dry beverage medium and at least one outlet probe receptacle defined in the body and extending upwardly from a bottom surface of the body. The at least one outlet probe receptacle is sized and configured to receive an outlet probe of a beverage brewer.”	The wall of the outlet probe receptacle, positioned inwardly from the inner sidewall surface, positioned in the bottom surface inwardly from the lower edge toward a center of the bottom surface, and extending upwardly from the inner bottom surface and the lower edge, and configured as an indentation extending into the internal volume.

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US12096876

UNIVERSAL COFFEE LLC

Application Number: US18195903
Filing Date: May 10, 2023
Status: Granted
Expiry Date: Sep 19, 2031
External Links: Slate, USPTO, Google Patents

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